Here are the shares we will be closely watching in today’s trading at the Nairobi Securities Exchange:

• B.O.C Kenya – The supplier of industrial and medical gases has posted a 57 percent growth in six-month pre-tax profit to 118.37 million shillings from 75.3 million in the same period last year. The share has been on an overall decline this month, losing 10 shillings in total to yesterday’s closing price of KES 110 per share. We will keep an eye on the counter today in light of the announcement of improved half-year earnings.

• NIC Bank – Shares in one of Kenya’s fastest growing banks in profitability have gained consecutively since Monday to close at KES 35.75 yesterday which was one shilling short of their highest price this year. The bank’s rights issue is scheduled to begin on August 27^th this month. Read more on the rights issue here. We will observe the counter today to see of it climbs beyond this year’s current high.

• Eaagads – Shares in the coffee grower continue to trade high this month, closing yesterday at their highest since November 2010 at KES 54.50 for a second time this month. We will keep an eye on the share today to see if it edges up further.